Deep State Cuts Could Come To School Districts

Posted: 09.23.2009 at 4:09 PM

School districts across the state could see their funding reduced by 44 percent

(AP) -- A bipartisan Michigan conference committee has voted to cut funding for K-12 schools by $218 per student.

Wednesday's action sets the stage for a vote in the full Legislature sometime this week. Intermediate school districts would see their funding reduced by 44 percent under the school aid budget starting Oct. 1. Lawmakers gave K-12 school districts flexibility to cut in a variety of areas, but slashed overall spending by nearly 4 percent, taking away more than $100,000 from smaller school districts and millions of dollars from large districts.

Democratic Sen. Michael Switalski of Roseville proposed avoiding some of the cuts by taxing live entertainment and the estates of wealthy individuals. But his amendment didn't get enough support to pass.